It was all Craig County in Galax last Friday night as the Rockets opened the football season with a win in Galax. The Rockets shut out the Maroon Tide, 48-0, while dominating on both sides of the ball.
“A 48-0 win over Galax was a great way to start the 2026 season,” said Craig coach Jimmy Fisher. “The field, facilities, staff and hospitality of Galax were first class. Great people there.”
Galax was expected to be a challenge for the Rockets. The Tide played Bland County in a benefit game and looked good.
“They threw the ball really well and gashed Bland in the running game,” said Fisher. “We challenged the kids to bring their A-game on Friday and I think, for the most part, they did. We have a few things to clean up, and we need to consistently play with a lower pad level than what we have so far, but overall as a staff we were pleased.”
Craig had the first possession of the game and drove down to score on a one-yard run by senior fullback Noah Paxton. Noah’s run was set up by a 58-yard scamper by junior tailback Bentley Smith.
Paxton added another first quarter touchdown on a 51-yard run. The extra point was tipped but the Rockets were up 13-0. Then, after a great defensive series, the Rockets got the ball back and junior wingback Dreydin Smith took a counter 49 yards to the house. Paxton then punched in a two-point conversion and the Rockets had a 21-0 first quarter lead.
“I think we took our foot off the gas a little in the second quarter,” said Fisher. “We played high, missed some blocking assignments, and missed some holes and cuts.”
The Rockets only scored once in the second quarter as Bentley Smith hit senior blocking back Marcus Donithan for an 18-yard touchdown pass. Another PAT kick by senior kicker Caleb Cregger put the Rockets up 28-0 at the break.
Halftime motivation and adjustments got the Rockets back on track in the third quarter. Junior tailback Bradyn Dunbar got the second half scoring going with a beautiful 15-yard run, and after the PAT the Rockets were up 35-0 and the running clock started.
Paxton added a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and junior wingback Robbie Eakin scored the last points of the game from the fullback position with a 61-yard run in the fourth period. Junior kicker Clayton Cassell tacked on the PAT for a 48-0 final.
Offensively, the Rockets put up 48 points and 410 yards. Paxton led the team in rushing with 172 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns and a two point conversion. Dreydin Smith had four carries for 64 yards and a TD while Eakin had three carries for 63 yards, Bentley Smith had two carries for 64 yards and Dunbar had six carries for 29 yards and a TD.
“We are blessed to have several players that we trust to have the ball in their hands,” said Fisher. “Paxton is the big returning name, but we have a host of junior playmakers. Bentley Smith and Bradyn Dunbar rotate at tailback, Dylan Sarver backs up Paxton and runs hard and Dreydin Smith and Robbie Eakin are both dynamic wingbacks.”
Defensively, the Rockets started the season with a shutout.
“Defense was plain nasty at times, lots of big hits, tackles for loss, sacks…it was a really good night,” said Fisher.
The Rockets were led defensively by senior linebacker Marcus Donithan with nine tackles, three tackles for loss and a pass break up. Senior defensive end Peyton Fields had six tackles, a tackle for loss, and three sacks.
“Marcus and Peyton both had breakout games defensively,” said Fisher. “They played really well.”
Junior safety Wyatt Huffman had five tackles. Dreydin Smith had four tackles and two sacks, Cregger had four tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, and Paxton had four tackles and a tackle for loss.
“Jayke does such a great job with the defense,” said Fisher of defensive coordinator Jayke Dowdy. “They were certainly ready for everything Friday.”
“I am super pleased with my staff. Jayke and I have worked hard to improve the coaching staff, getting the guys we already had more knowledgeable and adding from the outside. I feel like we have a really strong, complete staff. It certainly removes a ton of stress and workload off of me.”
Bland County comes to Craig this Friday for the annual Backwoods Brawl on Mitchell Field at 7 p.m. Friday. The Bears are 1-0 after they thumped Castlewood High School, 34-7, this past Friday.
“I always cheer for Bland when they aren’t playing us,” said Fisher. “Bland County reminds me of Craig, great community, great support and very rural. Their head coach, Harris Hart, is a great guy and I always want him to do well. I think he’s the oldest coach in the Timesland Area…and I think I am the third oldest. I hope the community comes out big on Friday, a big crowd really helps to get our team fired up to play.”
